Overcome Porn: The 40 Day ChallengeSample

How is pornography linked to idolatry and what does this have to do with our marriages and relationships?

Pornography is first and foremost about fantasy. When you sexually fantasize you cast your latest crush as the lead actress or actor in the movie of your mind. There they become the person you want them to be.

Sexual fantasy is really a form of self-worship. In our fantasies, we are a god because we can build an imaginary universe where the world revolves around us and we can populate that world with sexually desirable worshippers who go to great lengths to show us the level of their devotion.

You Become What You Worship

Why use worship language to describe our fascination with porn? We should label pornography this way, not just because this is the Bible’s overarching term to describe our sinful condition, but because it helps us to see why porn is so destructive to ourselves and our present or future marriages.

Psalm 115 describes what happens when we worship something: we become like it. N.T. Wright states, “Those who worship money become, eventually, human calculating machines. Those who worship sex become obsessed with their own attractiveness or prowess. Those who worship power become more and more ruthless.”

Transformed Into the Image of Christ

The Gospel of Christ is meant not only for the forgiveness of our sins but our transformation as well. When a person chooses to be fascinated by Christ instead of allowing him or herself to be absorbed by pornography, a change begins to take place.

He will begin to display a Christlike love and tenderness. He will begin loving and cherishing his wife as Christ does the church (Eph. 5:25-33). She will lay down her life for her friends (Jn. 15:13).

This is the question all porn-using Christians must ask: What kind of person do I want to be? Do I want to be more like Christ, who died for his bride, who set aside his own rights as King of Creation for her betterment, who endured hell for her? Or do I want to be self-absorbed, treating images of women and men as if they are disposable, using others for my personal satisfaction?

Reflection

• Are there ways in which your own porn use is self-worship?
• Take some time to write out a brief prayer of repentance.